THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister P Rajeeve on Thursday said in the assembly that the Kerala government's actions on the buffer zone issue are based on the people's interest. He also urged the opposition to stand united with the ruling front and not try to exploit for narrow political interest and two votes.

However, Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan said that the government's stand would create ecological refugees in the Western Ghats and forest borders. He also said that populated areas should not be included in the buffer zone under any circumstances. The opposition later staged a walkout accusing the government of showing adamance and false pride in the issue.

It was Mathew Kuzhalnadan MLA who moved the adjournment motion citing the crisis caused to the farmers due to the non-revocation of the government order of 2019, which made the zero to one-kilometre distance from wildlife sanctuaries and national parks an environmentally sensitive zone.

Minister Rajeeve said that it was decided to prepare a draft notification as per the order of 2019 and nowhere has it been said that a one kilometer buffer zone is mandatory. "The order says 0 to 1 kilometre in order to avoid buffer zone wherever necessary. A review petition was filed in the Supreme Court explaining the situation in Kerala. The satellite survey was completed as per the court order. The final report of the expert committee will be obtained within 3 months," the minister said.